A pivotal match to determine the seedings of the Lega Pallavolo vivo Serie A1 Femminile ahead of the playoffs will take place on Thursday, at 20.00 local time, when fourth-placed Igor Gorgonzola Novara and second-placed Prosecco Doc Imoco Volley Conegliano clash in a postponed encounter from the third round of the league's second leg.

Follow the action live or on demand on Volleyball TV.

Both teams, who have combined to win the last five editions of the Italian League, aim to overtake leaders Vero Volley Monza (50 points) at the top of the standings before the end of the regular season.

While defending champions Conegliano, who have 48 points, could do that by winning tonight, Novara, who are currently on 46 points, could cut the difference to a single point depending on the outcome of the match.

The teams have met three times already this season and Conegliano have prevailed each time, winning 3-2 in the Italian Cup Final, 3-1 in the Italian Supercup Final and 3-0 in the Italian League regular season's first leg.

Undefeated in their last six matches in the Italian League, Novara know a victory against their main rivals would allow them to have great momentum heading into the final portion of the season.

The team headed by Stefano Lavarini have more than enough firepower to challenge Conegliano with a lineup that includes Olympic champion middle blocker Haleigh Washington, Tokyo silver medallist Rosamaria Montibeller and Turkish star opposite Ebrar Karakurt. For Dutch outside hitter Nika Daalderop, serving will also be one of the keys of the match.

“It will be a very tough match and I’m looking forward to a solid performance from our side,” she said. “Our ability to put them under pressure with our serves will be an important factor in the match. If we don’t get the ball away from the net, they will play fast and it will be hard for our blocking and defence to stop them. We’ll need to be very disciplined and follow the game plan.”

Conegliano have won their last four Italian League matches and are set to enter a key four-day period in the season. After facing Novara, they will be back on the court on Sunday to play against third-placed Savino Del Bene Scandicci.

The team will rely on their main stars, most notably opposite Paola Egonu, the league’s top scorer with 432 points, Polish setter and team captain Joanna Wolosz and libero Monica De Gennaro to find their best form in one of the most important moments of the season.

“We have a pair of difficult matches in just a few days and they will be important for us to understand where our game is at right now,” De Gennaro reflected. “We’ve had ups and downs in our last matches and this is one that will require all of our focus and determination. Novara have been tough opponents for us in the last few years and we need to be at our best as the end of the season is approaching.”

In another mid-week match, Bosca S. Bernardo Cuneo grinded through five sets (25-21, 24-26, 22-25, 25-17, 16-14) to take Acqua & Sapone Roma Volley Club down on the road on Wednesday. French opposite Lucille Gicquel led all scorers with 24 points (17 kills, five blocks and one ace) while middle blocker Federica Squarcini fired a match-high four aces to end the day with 17 points to her name.

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Lega Pallavolo Femminile Serie A1
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